When Scotland Met Portugal: The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old

The Balvenie has been called “the bourbon lover’s scotch,” a perfect description of the smooth, honeyed sweetness found in the Speyside distillery’s single malts. For the last several years, Balvenie has been one of the foremost practitioners of the wood-finished style, in which traditionally-aged Scotch is “finished” for an additional two years (or more) in casks previously used to age wine, or fortified wine such as port or sherry. The method results in whisky of considerable flavor and complexity. In years past, Malt Master David Stewart has crafted releases such as Sherry Oak (2007) and Rum Cask (2008) for The Balvenie 17 Year Old Limited Edition Range.

The latest in the series is the Madeira Cask 17 Year Old, which was released September 2009 in limited markets worldwide. For this release, mature Balvenie spirit has been finished in casks that previously held Madeira, a fortified Portuguese wine. Stewart notes that “the 17 year old whisky extracted some wonderful rich spice and distinct raisin flavors from the Madeira cask, which we hope malt enthusiasts will enjoy discovering in the glass.” In his Malt Advocate review, John Hansell rated the Madeira Cask 90 points, calling it “one of the most deftly-balanced whiskies I’ve tasted this year.”

After attending a recent launch event for the Madeira Cask, I was eager for a quieter, more focused experience with the excellent limited release. The booze fairy was apparently listening, for a sample arrived on my doorstep just before the holidays. Given its scarceness, I was particularly grateful to receive the review bottle. Suffice to say, subsequent drams have reinforced my enthusiasm for the Madeira Cask. I highly recommend seeking out The Balvenie Madeira Cask; your efforts will be rewarded.